JP5043004B2 - Organizing archive elements for analog / digital hybrid data on film - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates generally to film media, and more particularly to a system and method in which a hybrid combination of analog frame images and digital data is organized on a reel of film.
This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application Serial No. 60 / 694,611, filed June 27, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

  The movie industry has traditionally used analog media to record content. Analog media such as 35 mm film fades over time. Decline over time is a reduction in image and audio quality. Long-term movie media storage makes it difficult to solve the problem. The long-term archival situation has been partially solved in the analog world, but uses a color-separated version of the movie that is recombined to provide a complete movie rendering.

  For example, three color component reels such as yellow, cyan and magenta (YCM) are generated, stored separately and recombined into a single reel when playback is required. This is only a partial solution. This does not provide long-term audio archiving, and more and more feature scenes are filmed using visual effects technology, adding to the background plate, which is mainly filmed with negative film in movies This is because key rendering information embedded in the character such as color and brightness parameters is lost.

  Thus, there is a need to address long-term quality degradation of film properties in image, audio and rendering information.

  A system and method for archiving film divides film content into N parts. Metadata is digitally stored for at least one of the N portions of the film, including analog and digital data representing a single media film record for that portion.

  Another method for archiving a film is to divide an analog feature into N parts based on one of the film length, runtime and scene, color components for at least one of the N parts Including providing an image. For N parts, a color component image is incorporated for that part and metadata for the corresponding part of the film including analog and digital data representing the entire record of a single media film for that part for archival storage Is stored digitally.

  A system for archiving film includes an editing device configured to divide a stored analog feature into N parts based on one of film length, runtime, and scene. The combining device digitally displays a color component image for at least one of the N portions, the corresponding portion of the film including analog and digital data representing the entire record of the film on that portion's single media. Configured to integrate with metadata.

  The advantages, nature and various additional features of the present invention will be complete upon consideration of the exemplary embodiments described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are for purposes of illustrating the concepts of the invention.

  The present invention stores images in analog form (eg, original negatives and shots or generated backgrounds, visual effect plates, final processed images, etc.) and (eg, audio, subtitles, captions, EDL ( provide a method for storing related metadata (such as edit decision lists), CDL (color decision list), information relating to visual effects, etc. in digital form on the same film. Furthermore, it is preferable for digital data to adopt a standard that is simple, stable, widely accepted, and easy for long-term recovery.

  Many advantages are obtained in accordance with the principles of the present invention. For example, by providing digital information (metadata) such as audio on analog film, the risk of information related to one particular title being recorded remotely at different types of support devices and different locations as a whole is very high Very few. Since the metadata is part of the film itself, recovery problems are reduced and the data is digital, so it can be easily stored with long-term storage.

  It will be appreciated that the present invention will be described in terms of video recording media, but the present invention is very broad and includes an analog / digital system capable of storing data on the media for long term storage. There is. Furthermore, the present invention is applied to a recording method including recording of data collected by a telephone, a set top box, a computer, a satellite link or the like. Although the present invention is described in terms of film making applications, the concept of the present invention may be extended to the recording process with long term storage such as magnetic tape, film, and the like.

  It will be appreciated that the elements shown may be implemented in various forms of hardware, software or combinations thereof. Preferably, these elements are implemented in a combination of hardware and software on one or more appropriately programmed general purpose devices including a processor, memory and input / output interfaces.

  This description is illustrative of the principles of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that various devices may be devised which, although not explicitly described or illustrated herein, embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. I want you to understand.

  All examples and conditional languages cited in this embodiment are for educational purposes to assist readers in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to promote the technology. Are intended and should not be construed as having any restrictions on such specifically cited examples and conditions.

  Moreover, all references to principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention are intended to encompass structural and functional equivalents thereof, as well as specific examples thereof. Furthermore, such equivalence is intended to include both equivalent concepts developed in the future, i.e., elements developed to perform the same function, regardless of structure, as well as currently known equivalent concepts. Is done.

  Thus, for example, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the block diagram provided in the present embodiment represents a conceptual diagram of an exemplary circuit implementing the principles of the present invention. Similarly, any chart, flow diagram, state transition diagram, pseudocode, etc. may be substantially represented on a computer-readable medium, whether or not a computer or processor is explicitly indicated. Or it is understood to represent various processes performed by a processor.

  The functionality of the various elements shown is provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing software in conjunction with appropriate software. When provided by a processor, functionality is provided by a single dedicated processor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individual processors, some of which are shared. Furthermore, the explicit use of the terms “processor” or “controller” should not be construed to indicate exclusively hardware capable of executing software, but without limitation, digital signal processors (DSPs). Includes hardware, read only memory (ROM) for storing software, random access memory (RAM), and non-volatile storage.

  Other hardware, conventional and / or custom may also be included. These functions may be performed through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or more manually, and certain techniques will be understood in more detail from the context. In addition, it can be selected by the implementer.

  In the claims of the present invention, elements expressed as means for performing a specified function are combined with, for example, a) a circuit element that performs the function, b) a suitable circuit that executes software to perform the function. It is intended to encompass any way of performing functions, including any form of software combination including firmware, microcode, etc. The invention defined by such claims resides in the fact that the functions provided by the various cited means are brought together, in the manner required by the claims. Therefore, any means that can provide these functions is considered equivalent to the means shown in this embodiment.

  Referring now to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify similar or like elements, and with reference first to FIG. 1, an exemplary method for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described. At block 102, an archived feature is provided. This feature may have already been archived (such as color separation) or may be a new feature for archiving. At block 104, a determination of the number of film parts, segments or pieces is made. One inventive principle stores all the images and data needed to recreate a continuous portion of features on one single medium, eg film, whatever the length of time of the single medium That is. For example, one 1000 foot reel contains not only images but also audio, subtitles, color information, etc. for about a 10 minute feature or much less depending on the maximum capacity of the storage medium.

  The determination of the number of parts or segments and the organization of the data in the segments, in this example, for archive storage, photochemical intermediate positive (IP = 3 colors per frame) or YCM separation (black and white = 1 color per frame) Preferably compatible with the use of a 35 mm 1000 foot reel according to current practice. Consideration will be given to future full digital (100% data on film) applications. After determining the number N of parts, at block 106, the features are divided into related parts for storage in N parts. Each individual part is preferably the actual portion of all moving image data (eg, images and metadata) that can be stored on one 1000 foot long reel of 35 mm film. In one example, the maximum value for N is reached based on the storage capacity of the film, e.g. 4K resolution format 4: 4: 4 16 bit, 24 fps cinemascope or super 35 mm, e.g. for archiving Store about 75 Mbytes per digital image. Potentially, several images per finished image of a feature need to be stored to have a complete set of information that properly archives the film. For example, the generated elements of a composite image with these correct color values add the finished image and add other metadata (sound, subtitle, etc.).

  N is, for example, about 12 (1 part per 1000 foot reel for current photochemical storage methods when positive color stock is used) and up to about 1024 (eg, 4 times 250, 250 is stored per frame) It may take any value between 1000 foot reels (35 mm, black and white) required to store a 4K resolution moving image with 1 Mbyte of data. This maximum of 1024 parts is never used for practical reasons, but the technology has become available to reach high data density per frame of storage media (eg 5 MB / frame or more) At times, the number of parts is significantly reduced and becomes more manageable, and therefore closer to full digital storage. If 250 parts are identified with the only image stored per finished video image, if N is 250 and the video is about 2 hours long (eg 2 hours / 250), the average part Is approximately 30 seconds.

  Each of the N parts may be of a different size (eg, need not be 1000 feet). The parts may be of the same length, but the parts do not have to have the exact same timeline or frame count length because they include scene changes or other logical separation points. For the 2 hour feature, the classic photochemical YCM separation process counts 12 * 3 = 36 parts (12 parts per reel, 3 reels). The difference between conventional YCM practices and methods according to the principles of the present invention includes that each film part preferably includes all three color components on a single reel of film. This is not practical in the photochemical archiving process. In other words, instead of each of the three reels having a single color component, according to one embodiment, the features are all three color components, a single ten minute of the feature (or other film Length) digital metadata.

  At block 108, metadata is added to each part of the film. The metadata includes any number of data types including audio, color correction information edit list, color list, and the like. Metadata is added at the time of archiving the film by directly encoding the data on the film media itself. This is done by adding a header or tail segment to the film or by digitally encoding the metadata on the film itself. Conventional recording devices that encode digital information on film are utilized using a predetermined data organization technique that performs the encoding.

  The following example illustrates a decision process that defines how to optimize the method and the number of parts needed to archive a particular feature. In the hybrid archival solution according to the present invention, the visual action information of a feature is included as digital metadata on the film. In one example, visual action (VFX) information is 50 by an average of one background plate, one foreground plate, and characters per two shots (eg, four superimposed images per shot). Including shots of% visual action. The total number of images to be stored is 3.5 times that when the finished moving image is a single image (that is, 1/2 times that of the finished moving image). Factor 7 is expressed by collecting the following images in the archive.

50% non-VFX (visual effect) OCN (original cinematic negative) → 1 * 1/2 of the finished image.
-Original image related to 50% VFX-> finished movie 4 * 1/2.
100% finished movie itself after color correction and post-production (set of final images associated with VFX and non-VFX) → 2 * 1/2 of the finished movie.

  Thus, in the case of an IP-based solution capable of storing 3 colors per frame of film, the number of parts would be 12 reels (expected length of video) * 3.5 (from above) = 42 parts It is expected. Compare this to 3 * 42 = 126 parts in the case of black and white separation based on YCM for three color reels. 126 parts are not practical. Thus, IP-based solutions are preferred over YCM solutions because they allow practical handling of archived materials.

  Metadata descriptors (eg, based on the XML standard) and other data are added to the film media.

  With reference to FIG. 2, a method of archiving a film using a hybrid analog / digital approach according to an exemplary embodiment is illustrated. At block 202, an archive is created from the film. This includes a color separation process in the prior art (such as YCM or IP technology) for separating the visual image of the film into individual reels. At block 204, an edit decision list (EDL) or any other data is employed to determine an appropriate separation point for the feature. Features are separated at block 205 into N parts based on scene boundaries or other criteria. Block 206 is adjusted so that the N parts contain reel information in the archive set. Each part may contain the finished image, metadata for that part, color components, etc. for that part of the film.

  The archive formed at block 206 includes multiple parts from a reel that are incorporated or integrated into a single film part. The new archived reel content includes a human readable head (eg in English), a machine readable head (eg radio frequency identifier (RFID)), a sequence of hybrid archives and a human readable tail. Contains one or more. The hybrid archive sequence includes a sequence of images including, for example, color component images, metadata, VFX data, color correction data, etc. to provide a complete record of features. A hybrid archive contains a sequence of images that contain finished images, negatives, color components, and other combinations of analog / digital information, as opposed to single component images as in the prior art.

  In one embodiment, the human readable header has an overall length of less than about 10 feet. A human readable head includes data organization options (eg, N = 1 if only photochemical reels (color separated reels) and no audio is supplied, with N = 1024 as an exemplary maximum. is there). The number N of hybrid archives can take any other value depending on the organization options. A human readable head has a value of N (number of parts in a feature), label information, DPX (Digital Picture Exchange) specification (which may be irrelevant for hybrid archives), channel coding specification (data organization) And an archive map). It also includes proxy images that are used for search purposes or to form a visual identifier for a particular image sequence (ie, in one example, 144 images per proxy data frame, 50 proxy data frames 7200 original images).

  The label information (Label Info) includes the project title, version, copy number, archive date (date archive is created), right owner (for example, lab access right), archive part (for example, part X of N parts) Frame number, corresponding film reel, and UMID (Unique Material IDentifier).

  At block 208, a data organization option is selected. Note that blocks 206 and 208 are executed in any order that depends on the application and the information available. Several data organization options may be individually selected and combined. The following description includes 1) the methods currently used for analog film archiving, 2) digital intermediates, and 3) hybrid data organization according to the present invention.

1) Data compilation of the current analog film archive (preservation of photochemistry):
YCM separation: one individual roll for each color component. Three black and white rolls per original color reel. Audio is stored digitally individually on the hard disk as Protocols ^™ . Occurs in Mag by “WAV” format.

One positive (IP) archival: 1: 1, audio is digitally held on the hard disk individually as Protocols ^™ . One analog soundtrack is stored with one positive print.

2) Digital intermediate:
a. YCM Separation Digital Equivalent (YCM Separation Digital Equipment).

  b. Separated element (SE) negative (separated element, stored in one single film strip, 1 frame Y, 1 frame C, 1 frame M, next color frame, etc.).

c. Intermediate Positive Equivalent (Equivalent Digital Equipment)
d. Digital intermediate (DI) roadmap.

3) Hybrid solution:
For example, analog plus digital intermediate with metadata including visual effect information, audio, subtitle, color space, CDL, EDL, etc. attached to or integrated with analog film.

  A series of hybrid archives may include one or more of the following data organization methods. It should be understood that the following method is for illustrative purposes. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other data organization methods may be utilized in accordance with the present invention.

  Digital data organization includes: 1) Soundtrack space is used for digital data (this is probably limited to 100K bytes / frame or less). 2) All digital data related frames following the header are placed in front of the analog image and may be included for each shot.

  The analog image organization includes:

  1) If analog images are stored in SE mode (per image), the order includes the following per single shot or part:

a) Background plate Y, then C, then M.
b) Foreground plate Y, then C, then M.
c) Character 1: Y, then C, then M.
d) Character 2: Y, then C, then M.

2) The alternative is for each shot (for each part).
e) All background plates image Y, then C, then M.
f) All foreground plates image Y, then C, then M.
g) All characters 1 image Y, then C, then M.
h) All characters 2 image Y, then C, then M.
With reference to FIG. 3, a system 300 for archiving films according to the principles of the present invention is illustratively shown. System 300 includes a plurality of different film editing devices. In the illustrated embodiment, editing device 302 can store stored analog film 301, including archived or new film, based on one of the lengths of film / runtime, scene, etc. Configured to divide into pieces. The editing device 302 automatically selects a split point and uses a director or other editing information (EDL), or the user manually selects the split point to separate the film . Separation or split points (for N parts) are selected based on predetermined criteria such as film length and / or film runtime. The splice or combiner 304 is configured to integrate analog and digital information in a hybrid way to archive the film . In one embodiment, this is a color for each of the N parts so that the film includes a hybrid 310 of analog and digital data that represents the entire record of a single media film of that part of archival storage. Including adding all of the component images with the digital metadata for that portion of the film.

Film reel 312 includes a hybrid series of digital and analog data held in an area different from the area where color component images are stored . The hybrid combination is organized according to a pre-selected data organization scheme. Digital metadata 316 includes audio, subtitle, captioning, edit decision list (EDL), color space, color decision list (CDL), information related to visual effects, and information related to other films.

Preferably, the metadata 316 includes a complete set of information for that portion of the film. In one embodiment, the archived film 310 includes a plurality of reels 312, each reel having a plurality of color component portions Y, C, M corresponding to that portion, each corresponding to that portion. Data 316 is included. The color component 311 and the metadata 316 are included according to the data organization method so that all the color components of the portion and all the metadata of the portion are included in the same reel 312. Other portions of each reel include a header 320 and a tail portion 322 that contain further information and / or data for that reel 312.

  Although a preferred embodiment of an archival element organization system and method for analog / digital hybrid data of a film (which is intended to be illustrative and not limiting) has been described, the previous teachings Modifications and variations will be made by those skilled in the art in light of It is therefore to be understood that changes may be made in particular embodiments of the invention disclosed within the scope and spirit of the invention as outlined by the claims. The scope of the invention, which describes the invention in detail and is protected by patent law, is set forth in the appended claims.

2 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for archiving a film according to one embodiment. 6 is a flowchart of another exemplary embodiment for archiving films. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a system / method for archiving films according to another exemplary embodiment.

Claims (16)

A method for archiving film ,
Dividing the content of the film into N parts;
And a step of storing the metadata corresponding to at least one portion of said N portions, the at least one portion corresponding in digital form on a single media, said single medium, Storing each of a plurality of color component images associated with the at least one portion ;
The film includes a plurality of color component reels, and the plurality of color component reels are configured to correspond to each of the N portions, and the metadata includes a portion corresponding to the N portions. The color component image corresponding to one of the N parts and the metadata corresponding to the one part are included in a reel of the same color component . Dividing the content of the film into N parts includes dividing a length equal segments content of the film,
The method of claim 1. According to the available storage capacity of the film, to determine the N-number of the number of metadata to be divided, dividing the metadata to the N parts, the metadata is divided into said N portion further comprising the step you stored in the film,
The method of claim 1. Each header further comprises the step of adding to at least a portion of said N portions, the header for the corresponding parts including metadata,
The method of claim 1. Data in at least one of sound, subtitle, caption, edit determination list (EDL), color space, color determination list (CDL), information related to visual effects, and information related to other films in digital form Storing further the step of storing the metadata of the N parts .
The method of claim 1. Adding analog data representing the color component images of each of the N parts to the metadata of the corresponding part ,
The method of claim 1. At least one portion of said N portions, a part of the content of the film, the final image, the image color components, and includes metadata of the content of the film,
The method of claim 1. A method for archiving film ,
Dividing the analog film data into N parts based on one of film length, runtime and scene;
A color component image corresponding to at least one part of the N parts and digital metadata corresponding to the at least one part are stored in a single medium corresponding to the at least one part. Including steps ,
The analog film includes a plurality of color component reels, and the plurality of color component reels are configured to correspond to each of the N portions, and the metadata corresponds to the N portions. is divided into portions, the color component images corresponding to one part of the N parts, and metadata corresponding to the one portion is included in a reel of the same color component, the method. In a region different from the region in which the color component images are stored, for each portion of the N portions, the step of providing a reel of the color components for storing said digital metadata and the color component image In addition,
The method of claim 8 . At least one data of sound, subtitle, caption, edit determination list (EDL), color space, color determination list (CDL), information related to visual effects, information related to other films is stored in digital format . And further comprising storing the metadata of the N portions .
The method of claim 8 . At least one portion of said N portions, a part of the content of the film, the final image, the image color components, and includes metadata of the content of the film,
The method of claim 8 . A system for archiving films,
Length of the film, based on one of the runtime and the scene, and N you divided into partial editing device data analog film,
A color component image corresponding to at least one portion of said N portions, storing said digital metadata corresponding to at least one part, the at least one single media corresponding to the portion and a storage device for,
The analog film includes a plurality of color component reels, and the plurality of color component reels are configured to correspond to each of the N portions, and the digital metadata corresponds to the N portions. The color component image corresponding to one of the N parts and the metadata corresponding to the one part are included in a reel having the same color component . Reel of each color component of the N portions is in a region different from the region in which the color component image is stored, storing the digital metadata and the color component image,
The system of claim 12 . The digital metadata includes at least one of sound, subtitle, caption, edit determination list, color space, color determination list, information related to visual effects, information related to other films,
The system of claim 12 . At least one portion of the N portions comprises about 10 minutes of the analog film data ;
The system of claim 12 . Data of the analog film comprises an edit decision list, the editing apparatus, by using the edit decision list, divides the data of the analog film to said N portions,
The system of claim 12 .

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